Books, authors and all things bookish

One lucky writer will get a free trip to the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival

October 26, 2009 | 4:16
pm

The Tennessee Williams/ New Orleans Literary Festival is running a short story contest for writers who have not yet published a book of fiction, and the reward is bigger than usual. The winner will get domestic airfare, accommodations and admission to the festival, which takes place from in March. And they'll also get to hear their story read at the festival, and take home $1,500.

Oh, and there's also the classic literary awards, stuff, which in this case is publication in the journal "New Orleans Review." Entries can be made online -- or mailed in -- with a submission fee of $25.

The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival takes place about a month after Mardi Gras and a month before the Jazz Festival warms up. Founded in 1986, it has carried on ever since, even in 2006, the year after Hurricane Katrina struck.

Last year, an all-access pass for the festival was $500, which included panels, master classes, scholarly discussions and events; single tickets were offered for $10. While participants for the 2010 festival have not yet been announced, last year's included David Simon, creator of "The Wire," and John Berendt, author of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."